MARINA LVOVA

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, CLIENT STRATEGY AT UNDERTONE

USA

WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO COME ON REMOTE YEAR?

I've always been interested in living abroad or traveling for an extended period of time, and Remote Year was the perfect opportunity to do both! I also was most excited about the community. Having worked at the same company for over five years, the fresh ideas, perspectives, and conversation was a big draw for me.

WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON FOR THE YEAR?

I am fortunate that Undertone, the ad tech organization I work for, has been so supportive in letting me participate in Remote Year. My role has changed over the course of the year, which has given me increased exposure to different sides of the business. I’m sort of a SWAT team of one, working on a wide array of projects that require resources, including: financial analyses, project managing new product launches, and building training programs. In addition, I’ve been blogging about my experiences and participating a lot in the Remote Year community. For example, I initiated a program called re:work, designed to help RYers figure out what’s next for them.

WHERE HAVE YOU LIVED/TRAVELED TO PREVIOUSLY?

HOW DID YOU FIND YOURSELF A REMOTE ROLE?

I didn't! My role was 100% office-based when I got into Remote Year. I was proactive in coming up with ideas for a different role so I could participate, and collaborated with different department leads to ensure I could keep contributing to the organization. Flexibility is key for anyone not yet in a remote role.

DESCRIBE YOUR REMOTE YEAR EXPERIENCE IN 3 WORDS.

Fortunate. Exciting. Delicious.

YOUR FAVORITE DIGITAL NOMAD HACK?

Wordtimebuddy is a really helpful resource when trying to plan meetings. Also Scott Keyes’ newsletter has great travel deals.

WHO DO YOU HOPE TO BE BY THE END OF REMOTE YEAR?

I hope to be a better, more worldly person at the end of this experience. I hope to have my eyes opened daily to something new. I hope to be brimming with ideas, love of life, interest in new cultures, and amazing memories of the experiences I've had.

WHAT BOOK SHOULD EVERYONE READ?

The Art of Possibility. Great perspective on life and how anything is truly possible.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO OTHERS LOOKING TO BRING TRAVEL INTO THEIR LIVES?

I would say it's always possible. It's possible to travel on any budget, in any circumstance. I've encountered so many people in different life situations throughout my travels, doing it because they love to explore. I never thought this experience was for “someone like me,” but it’s working out great.